A tempting distraction

By Rita Skeeter

The First Task is nearly a month away and although the focus should be on the four young Triwizard Champions in the days leading up to it, the Hogwarts populace has been unable to stop talking about the newest addition to the student body who has caused quite the commotion.

Kagome Higurashi, a transfer student from Japan, and Sixth year Gryffindor, appears to have her sights set on finding a husband in the halls of Hogwarts. She seems to be seeking only the best of the best as she has been spotted with not only the Boy-Who-Lived and the dashing Viktor Krum, but to cause even more of a scandal she has recently been seen in the company of the charming Cedric Diggory.

Kagome and Harry Potter grew quite fond of one another at Arthur and Molly Weasley's residence in Devon. It was easy for Kagome to draw in the younger wizard with her feminine wiles and striking blue eyes. They were later spotted at the Qudditch World Cup in matching attire and were inseparable for the entire event. Perhaps the flame of young love would have turned into an inferno with more time, but as you all recall, Viktor Krum saved Kagome's life at the end of the World Cup when he leapt over the ledge of the announcer's box to save the falling witch from plummeting to her death. The pair reunited at Hogwarts where they have been spotted walking by the Black Lake with their arms intertwined, radiating adoration and love for one another.

A source speaking to me with the promise of anonymity said, "It was so very romantic. Her eyes were alight with laughter as he escorted her throughout the grounds."The source was unable to see much else as they ventured into a very remote section of the lake for more privacy. According to sources close to Viktor, he is quite taken with the young witch and is planning on asking her to the Yule Ball.

However, while many girls her age would be thrilled to have the attention of the world renowned seeker, it appears Miss Higurashi is not content with just stealing two of the Wizarding world's most sought after wizards' hearts as she has been spending a lot of time in secluded sections of the library speaking in hushed tones with Hufflepuff heartthrob, Cedric Diggory. Much to his fellow Hufflepuff's chagrin the two have become quite close, but we have it on good authority that Miss Higurashi put him in an outright foul mood the other day when she left Cedric for Krum. An eye witness claimed, "Ced was a complete nutter after talking with the bird."

Despite many people saying it is young love, this reporter thinks Higurashi's heart is quite fickle. From what this journalist can gather Ms. Higurashi's feelings for these young gentlemen are fair-weather at best. She can't seem to make up her mind and seems to be hedging her bets with all three of them.

It seems that all is indeed fair in love and war, and Kagome Higurashi is at the center of it all. Which begs the question, how will the Tournament turn out when all three male Champions are embroiled in a battle of the heart?

Cedric's jaw dropped as he skimmed the article once more for good measure. He knew Rita was a snake, but he had never imagined he would open his paper and find that splashed across the front page.

All around him students were reading the article. Their curious glances and whispers said it all. They had bought into the story Rita had spun. They had bought into her lies.

For a split second he contemplated incinerating the libel but chose against it; although he was teetering between anger and embarrassment such actions would only add fuel to Rita's journalistic fire, and he was not about to give her more ammunition to use against him. At least not intentionally.

"Oi, you alright mate?" Anthony asked between sips of his pumpkin juice, eyeing his friend a bit critically.

"I'm fine." Anthony rolled his eyes. He could see right through Cedric's lie. It was written all over his face.

"I'm guessing it has something to do with the mangled Prophet in your hands. More rubbish?"

Cedric wasn't sure what to say about the article. He also wasn't sure whom he could trust. Obviously, Rita must have interviewed someone in the courtyard that day. How else could she have known about his reaction after Kagome and Viktor had left?

"Yep." Anthony didn't have to follow Ced's gaze to know where he was looking. "I have something I need to do. I'll see you in class." Cedric quickly finished his breakfast and grabbed his book bag, darting to the Gryffindor table with many curious eyes following his every move.

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Fred and George grinned as they finished reading the article and shot Kagome a look. However, she was too busy chatting with Hermione, Harry, and Ron to notice. The twins sidled over to Kagome and slung their arms around her shoulders.

"We are deeply hurt." Fred looked as if he had been mortally wounded, while a single tear rolled down George's cheek.

With her brow furrowed, she turned to look at the two pranksters. "And what have I done to cause such offense?" She asked, willing to take the bait they had cast.

They pulled out the paper with a flourish and spread it out the paper in front of her. Really the pictures said it all. They weren't sure how Rita had managed to find such scandalous photos, but it served her story well. Despite their dislike for the woman they could appreciate her trickery.

Without looking at the paper, Kagome was about to explain when someone tapped her on the shoulder. "I need to steal Kagome for just one moment." The group barely had time to greet the Sixth year Hufflepuff before he pulled Kagome from their house's table.

"I'll see you guys at lunch." She called out as they quickly departed the Great Hall amidst the rolling whispers as their peers discussed Rita's latest story and Cedric and Kagome's hasty departure.

Hermione watched the pair disappear through the doors and out of sight. "I wonder if he wants to talk about the article."

Harry made some noise before elaborating. "Well their conversation is going to be short."

Hermione's face scrunched in confusion. "Why? She read what Rita wrote." Hermione was getting sick and tired of her salacious articles. The whole Tournament was getting overshadowed by the latest bit of nonsense courtesy of Rita Skeeter.

"Actually she hasn't." Harry said casually as he put some clotted cream on a scone. "We've decided we're going to boycott reading the Prophet for the duration of the tournament."

She blinked a few times before she smiled. "I am so proud of you. There is no point in stressing out over what she is writing while you're preparing for the actual Tournament."

"Exactly, plus we know what she writes isn't true." He added absentmindedly as he piled bacon on his plate.

Hermione smirked. "So how are you preparing for the tournament?" Her question was met with silence.

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Kagome and Cedric walked out of the Great Hall and around the corner where they would be shielded from the curious stares of their peers.

"I just wanted to apologize. I also didn't want you to get the wrong idea about the other day. I was a little upset, but I think Rita blew it way out of proportion. Not mention that her claims were completely baseless."

Cedric mistook the look on Kagome's face and hurried to quell her ire. "Well, I suppose I was a bit upset. I don't know why really. I guess it was nerves. I just want to do well in the Tournament and everyone has been talking about you and Viktor, so I guess I got a bit disgruntled."

He was ready for an angry tirade, but she just shrugged in confusion. "Cedric, I really have no idea what you're talking about. Can we start at the beginning? I upset you?" She grabbed his hand and led him to a nearby bench.

Color instantly rose to his cheeks. "Um, so you haven't seen the article?"

Kagome's brow scrunched in confusion. "No, I've decided not to read the Prophet for the duration of the Tournament. Rita only seems to care about the headlines than actually reporting on the Tournament."

He was silently grateful for her sake. Rita painted her in a very unflattering manner. However, now Cedric wanted to crawl into a hole and die. She had absolutely no idea what he was raving on and on about and was looking at him as if he was completely nutters. He sighed heavily, running his hands through his hair.

"I'm sorry I upset you. It wasn't very nice of me to ask that favor of you and then walk off with Viktor. I should have apologized to you sooner." She bit her lower lip, thinking he might still be upset with her.

"It's quite alright. I have been on edge thinking about the upcoming First Task and I guess it came out in an angry outburst." Cedric mumbled, trying to stamp down his embarrassment.

"I am sure you'll do well." She gently squeezed his hand, reassuring him with a bright smile.

He swore his heart skipped a beat. "So I can count on your cheering for me then?"

"Affirming that statement is bound to get me into trouble." Kagome stood and smiled. "But I'll be sure to save a cheer just for you."

Cedric couldn't help the grin that tugged at the corners of his lips. "I'll hold you to it."

"And thank you. I don't know what you did, but I've seen a lot less of those horrid buttons floating around."

The flush in his cheeks spread to his neck. "It was nothing." He lied, if it had been nothing Rita wouldn't have had the perfect narrative for her story.

Kagome shook her head. She knew it couldn't have been that simple."I know it must have been hard to ask your housemates not to wear them, but I do appreciate it more than I'll ever be able to express." And then she leaned forward to place a kiss on his cheek.

Cedric was immensely grateful Kagome didn't turn around to look at his once more before she rounded the corner since his cheeks were a dark shade of red. He lifted his right hand to touch the spot on his cheek, still able to feel the softness of her lips despite the brevity.

He smiled. Perhaps things were going to turn in his favor. He slung his book bag over his shoulder and hurried to his first class before his friends sent out a search party and another story was splashed across the front page tarnishing their reputations.